Phyllis Kandie is president Uhuru’s nominee for EA Affairs, Commerce and Tourism. Photo/ PPS
NAIROBI, Kenya, May 14 – President Uhuru Kenyatta’s nominee for the Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Kandie has been rejected by the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments (CoA).
Kigumo Member of Parliament (MP) Jamleck Kamau who sits on the 28-member committee was however the only one who endorsed her and refused to sign the report tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.
He told Capital FM News that Kandie was rejected for giving a “poor performance” when she appeared before the vetting committee.
“I did it on principle because first of all there was no real reason for her rejection. The reason that she did not present herself very well before the committee is not reason enough for us to reject her,” Kamau said.
He attributed her poor performance to anxiety saying it did not reflect on her qualifications, “This woman worked for some of the biggest companies in the private sector. There is therefore no question as to her competence.”
Kandie was the only one of the 16 nominees for Cabinet positions to be rejected by the CoA.
Kamau revealed that some Jubilee coalition members planned to introduce an amendment to ensure Kandie and the 15 other nominees were all approved by Parliament.
“There will be an amendment on the floor of the House and without any question I will be supporting that amendment,” Kamau said.
The Kigumo lawmaker expressed optimism that in the event Kandie received the parliamentary stamp of approval, the economist could go on to perform very well as a minister given her track record. “Even in the Bible they say the stone which was rejected by builders eventually became the corner stone.”
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